It’s been a very long time since I’ve hosted a digital espresso date catch-up! Pour your self a cup of joe (or tea, or water, or mimosa? – no judgement right here), and let’s catch up! If you wish to dive into weblog archives to see how my life has modified, try these previous digital espresso dates from: 2014, 2015, 2017, or 2023.
Well being
If we have been having espresso, mine can be with simply milk – no sweetener. I’ve been engaged on reducing again on sugar and have lastly educated my style buds to get pleasure from espresso with out the additional sweetness. Small wins, proper?
This previous yr, I’ve gone by a little bit of a health id shift. After years of distance and path group working, I’ve utterly stepped away from long-distance working. I wanted the break. Lately, I’m into weight coaching, which has been nice – however I miss the camaraderie. I’m toying with the thought of registering for some shorter Fall races to ease again into the working world and take in a number of extra path miles with buddies with out the dedication of prolonged coaching plans.
Youngsters
The women are only a few months away from turning 13 – how did that occur?! They’re enjoying faculty volleyball this season, and it’s been such a pleasure watching their abilities and confidence develop! They each began out shy and tentative however are actually coming into their very own. I’ve even discovered a summer season volleyball camp to maintain the momentum going – simply as soon as per week and solely $50/month per child. Complete win!
Household
If we have been chatting over espresso, I’d in all probability get a bit somber right here. It’s been a heavy yr for my household. We’ve misplaced each my dad and my husband’s grandpa. I’ve an uncle in hospice and a cousin in late-stage ALS – so I count on extra goodbyes are coming. One other uncle is battling colon most cancers, and a uncommon chemo complication led to cardiac arrest. He’s nonetheless in tough form.
On prime of that, my stepdad went in for what was alleged to be routine hip surgical procedure, however it has became a nightmare: three surgical procedures in six weeks because of implant failure and fractured femur. He’s now utterly non-weight-bearing for six weeks. It’s been an enormous toll bodily and emotionally. If you’re the praying kind, we’ll take all of the prayers we are able to get!
Funds
If we have been actually diving deep, I’d dip into the subject of funds. I’d admit that the current market volatility has been actually scary. We’ve misplaced fairly a bit, and it’s been powerful to even log into our accounts. We additionally just lately inherited a large sum and wish to steward it correctly. Whereas some buddies have inspired us to splurge, we opted for a tempered splurge: turning our formal front room right into a devoted house workplace!
The entire mission ought to price about $5,000, with us performing as our personal common contractor – hiring a drywall contractor, an electrician, and doing the portray and barn door set up ourselves. My aim is to have it completed by the top of summer season.
You would possibly marvel why we determined to create an workplace. The reality is that we have been contemplating shifting, however when dabbling in actual property, we realized house costs (and rates of interest) are simply too excessive for us to compete! We might spend actually DOUBLE what we spent on our house, and find yourself a house that’s not at the same time as good as ours. So we’re staying put and making this one work higher for us.
The brand new workplace will give me a correct workspace (with a view that isn’t of our trash cans) and my husband will take over the visitor room/workplace area for infrequent use. Win-Win!
Work
Work has been…..tough. Our division has had an interim head for a yr now, with no everlasting alternative in sight. College management has utterly turned over – new president, provost, CFO, CIO, you identify it. Which means shifting strategic priorities, and plenty of uncertainty with finances fashions.
As a long-term planner, this limbo has been powerful for me. I’ve dealt with it by attempting to lean into facet initiatives – principally writing. I’m presently engaged on a e-book proposal and hope to have the proposal completed and able to store round to literary brokers by the top of summer season. Want me luck!
Summer time Plans
This summer season will look very completely different than the previous. For the primary time, the ladies don’t really want day by day childcare. I haven’t signed them up for any conventional camps (besides the once-a-week volleyball one). As a substitute, I’m flying them to Austin for “Mamaw Camp.” They’ve been begging for a solo journey to go to their grandparents, and this yr it’s taking place! The timing coincides with a piece journey I’ve to D.C., so it really works out for everybody. My mother is thrilled – after all of the exhausting stuff with my stepdad, she actually wants one thing to sit up for.
And the large one: we’re going to Hawaii! A literal lifelong dream of mine! My mother went to varsity there, and I’ve at all times needed to go. We booked a bundle by Costco: 8 days – 4 on the Huge Island, 4 on Oahu. Our prime should do’s are Volcanoes Nationwide Park (Huge Island) and Pearl Harbor (Oahu). We’re additionally planning to snorkel and attend a luau, however I do know there’s a lot to do there (greater than we’ll have time for). If you happen to’ve been, inform me what’s to not miss!
Your Flip!
Thanks for hanging out with me and catching up! What are you as much as? How’s your work, your loved ones, your well being? Bought any ideas for managing a house rework or planning Hawaii adventures?
I’m grateful for the friendship/readership in any case these years!
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